Swine flu staff missed Yate boy's infection

A boy from Yate with a kidney infection became seriously ill after doctors dismissed his symptoms as swine flu.

Callum Meaker, developed a high temperature and was feeling dizzy and achy. He was diagnosed as having the H1N1 virus over the phone.

But as his symptoms became worse, his mother, Karen Sarkozi feared the 13-year-old might be suffering something more serious and repeatedly called GPs for help.

The teenager was admitted to Bristol Children's Hospital where it was discovered he had a kidney infection. The untreated infection was poisoning his system.

He stayed in hospital for six days and is now recovering at the family home in Milton Road but will need further tests to see if there is long-term damage to his kidneys.

Because the guidance for dealing with swine flu is for patients not to attend their GP practice, Ms Sarkozi was told that no one could visit him and she said she was advised he would get better with rest.

Callum first became unwell on the last Tuesday of the school term and his mum was called in to pick him up and informed that there had been four other cases of swine flu.

Ms Sarkozi, 44, contacted the national swine flu helpline for advice and was advised that it was likely Callum was suffering with the virus and received a diagnosis from the out-of-hours GP service, Frendoc.

The mum of five said: "Despite eventually being given Tamiflu, Callum's temperature was over 104 F.

"He had a headache and said it hurt to breathe so I phoned the doctors again and told them he had taken everything we were told to and still he was not getting better.

"When he finished the course of Tamiflu he still had a temperature and I knew he was unwell. His eyes were rolling, his temperature was high and he could not lift his head but still they would not do anything.

"He didn't have a cough or cold or anything like that.

"It is quite worrying that they will not come out and see people, even if it seems serious because doctors could think it was swine flu when it was something serious."

Ms Sarkozi said she threatened to head straight to the A&E department before doctors took her seriously and eventually a GP from the Frendoc out-of-hours service told her to take Callum along and he referred him to the children's hospital.

Because the youngster was still thought to have swine flu he had to wear a mask while waiting to be seen by a doctor and was treated on a side ward.

After a series of tests at the hospital, it was discovered that Callum had a urine infection affecting his kidneys and was given antibiotics intravenously.

Ms Sarkozi said: "At one point they thought Callum might have meningitis. If I had left it and hadn't taken him to hospital he could have died.

"I have five children and three grandchildren and I know when there is something seriously wrong.

"They wore masks when we were at A&E so why couldn't a doctor have come out wearing one?

"They are saying everything is swine flu and serious illnesses are being overlooked.

"If a parent thinks more is wrong with their child they should push for a doctor to see them."

Director of Public Health for South Gloucestershire, Dr Chris Payne, said: "We are very concerned to hear about Mrs Sarkozi and Callum's experience and urge them to please contact NHS South Gloucestershire so that we can look into these circumstances.

"It can be difficult to diagnose some illnesses if they present with flu-like symptoms.

"It is therefore very important that parents act on the national guidance which advises them to contact their GP if their child's illness is still getting worse after five days. My advice is also that parents should ring their GP sooner if there are any particularly worrying symptoms."